Overview

From world-renowned professors to world-class friendships, students at Harvard find a community that embraces them, challenges them, and exposes them to new ideas daily. With so many opportunities afforded to our students, the Harvard experience is unique for every undergraduate. With over 450 student organizations to join, 48 concentrations to study, 17 freshman dorms and 12 upperclass houses to live in, in addition to hundreds of faculty members and more than 6600 students to befriend, each student experiences a different piece of Harvard College over the course of his or her four years here.
While Harvard is renowned for its academic excellence, we strongly believe that one of our greatest strengths is the exceptional diversity within the student body. We are committed to ensuring all admitted students have the opportunity to attend Harvard, regardless of the economic obstacles they may have encountered. .

Programs Supporting First-Generation College Students

Pre-College Prep & Outreach — Harvard Financial Aid Initiative

The Harvard Financial Aid Initiative (HFAI) serves as a touchstone for those looking to learn more about the application and financial aid process and raises awareness about college affordability for students interested in all kinds of colleges. Email:hfai@fas.harvard.edu

The Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program (UMRP) helps to expand the diversity of incoming classes by encouraging minority students to consider applying to Harvard College. Email: umrp@fas.harvard.edu.

In order to reach students who might not be able to travel to campus prior to applying, the Admissions and Financial Aid Office hires current undergraduates to communicate with prospective students from all over the world. The student recruitment coordinators can provide information about the application and financial aid processes as well as student life at Harvard.

Pre-College Prep & Outreach — The Harvard First Generation Program

The Harvard First Generation Program (HFGP) focuses on directing college awareness to future first generation college students and shares information about first generation student life at Harvard. Email: firstgen@fas.harvard.edu

Scholarship & Financial Aid — Harvard Financial Aid Initiative

Over the past decade, the Financial Aid Initiative has significantly reduced the amount low and middle income families are expected to contribute to college costs. No contribution is expected from parents with incomes under $65,000. Those parents with annual income between $65,000 and $150,000 are asked to contribute from zero to ten percent of their income. Some families with incomes above $150,000 still qualify for aid. No loans are included in student aid awards.

Student Life & Support — First Generation Harvard Alumni

The First Generation Harvard Alumni Mentor Program, consisting of alumni who were the first in their families to attend college, recognizes the challenges of attending Harvard as a first generation student and seeks to provide a mentoring program that will help bridge the gaps experienced by first generation students and enable their success.
Learn more about First Generation Harvard Alumni

Student Life & Support — Harvard First Generation Student Union

FGSU's mission seeks to develop a community among as well as provide institutional support for first generation students. FGSU has held events such as graduate school panels with Harvard Graduate Students, career panels with Harvard First Generation Alumni, and open discussions with administrators from several offices across Harvard. FGSU is also involved in 1vyG, an inter-Ivy League first generation student network.

Empowering first-generation college students on the path to and through college.

We believe that the opportunity for college exists for students who do not have a family history of higher education. I’m First! is an online community providing first-generation college students—and those who advise them—with inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college.